Stackable, captive liquid hydro-static axial bearing design

grabcad

A hydro-static bearing design model features stacked axial load-bearing circular sections alternating between hub and perimeter segments. Incompressible liquid, like mineral oil or distilled water, is trapped between sealed compartments formed by each pair of sections, keeping them apart. Ideally, these compartments should not leak, but I have included passageways in the core/hub sections to replace lost fluid due to leakage under load. This also allows for limited shock absorption as sudden spikes cause sections to move closer together, squeezing liquid out and enabling controlled outflow through channels in the hub sections. Once absorbed, the liquid is pumped back into the bearing. The large surface area of the internal compartments prevents unmanageable pressure increases from load spikes. However, small section movements can displace a significant amount of fluid. This design is suited for high axial loads with low radial loads, such as ship propeller shaft thrust bearings or generator turbine thrust bearings, where sustained forces need to be withstood with minimal friction and wear. The model includes perimeter sections in green, hub sections in red, and circular seals to prevent leakage.